The Challenges Facing Italian Football: A Path to Recovery

Italy’s national football team has faced a series of disheartening setbacks, starting with an early exit from Euro 2024, where they were eliminated in the Round of 16 by Switzerland. This was followed by a disappointing quarter-final exit in the Nations League, setting the tone for a troubled World Cup qualifying campaign that began with a heavy 3-0 defeat to Norway and a narrow victory over Moldova. These poor results culminated in the dismissal of head coach Luciano Spalletti, leaving his successor, Rino Gattuso, with the daunting task of leading the team towards qualification without relying on play-offs.

However, the extent of Italy’s struggles cannot be fully captured merely by reciting a series of unfavorable results. It is vital to recognize that this crisis is rooted in deeper issues, perhaps the gravest Italy has ever faced, surpassing even the troubled years of 1954, 1962, and 1966, as well as the non-qualification in 1958. This predicament stems from structural deficiencies and an inability to adapt to the evolving landscape of football, both tactically and physically.

A significant contributing factor to Italy’s malaise is the failure to effectively identify and nurture talent. The management models adopted have not produced the desired results. The remarkable victory in the 2006 World Cup marked both the pinnacle of a generation of exceptional players—such as Gigi Buffon, Alessandro Nesta, and Francesco Totti—and the beginning of a decline. Following that triumph, the performances of the national team dwindled, and Italian clubs ceased to enjoy major international success.

Despite winning both the Champions League and Club World Cup in 2007 through AC Milan, Italy has not clinched either trophy since Inter’s triumph in 2010. The warning signs of this decline were starkly evident during the disastrous 2010 World Cup, where the reigning champions, led by Marcello Lippi, faced an early exit. Since then, Serie A clubs have reached only four Champions League finals, two of which were contested by Juventus and two by Inter, alongside a handful of Europa and Conference League finals.

The widening gap between Italian football and Europe’s elite has become increasingly pronounced. A comparison with the Premier League underscores this disparity; England’s top flight has successfully capitalized on the influx of funds from television networks and global investors. Clubs have reinvented themselves as entertainment enterprises, investing in modern stadiums and acquiring top-tier players and managers.

In stark contrast, the Italian league has struggled to utilize the financial gains from television rights effectively. Instead of fostering long-term growth, clubs have focused on immediate spending to preserve appearances while neglecting essential infrastructure and youth development, which are critical for the future of Italian football.

The arrival of significant financial resources in the early 1990s coincided with the transformative Bosman ruling of 1996, leading to an unchecked pursuit of foreign players. This shift disrupted the traditional fabric of Italian football, resulting in youth academies filled with international recruits chosen for economic reasons instead of merit. Consequently, youth coaches, under pressure to achieve immediate results, abandoned the fundamental goal of developing both skilled players and well-rounded individuals.

This lack of investment in homegrown talent over the past two decades has left Italy struggling to field a competitive national team. Once a producer of world-class players, Italy has now been unable to cultivate talent that garners interest from top clubs abroad. Recent years have seen some players like Marco Verratti, Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Sandro Tonali emerge, but the overall quality remains insufficient compared to historical standards.

Today, the Italian national team seeks redemption through players with international experience, such as Donnarumma at Manchester City, Calafiori at Arsenal, and Tonali at Newcastle. However, aside from Donnarumma, few can be considered true champions—once a hallmark of Serie A and the national team.

The current crop of players lacks the caliber of individuals who can consistently perform at top European clubs. Many promising young talents find themselves relegated to lower divisions or pursuing opportunities abroad due to limited prospects at home. Notable exceptions include Francesco Pio Esposito, who after a commendable loan at Spezia, has entered the senior squad, and Giovanni Leoni, who showcased his potential before facing an injury setback at Liverpool.

These emerging talents highlight a dual challenge: reigniting passion among a new generation of fans while grappling with a broader decline in youth interest in football. The rise of new national heroes in other sports has shifted focus away from football, with figures like Jannik Sinner in tennis and Sofia Goggia in skiing gaining prominence.

Amid these challenges, national team coach Gattuso faces immense pressure. A further failure to qualify would severely undermine the political and managerial framework that has yielded disappointing results and minimal structural reforms in recent years. The looming need for legislative action on stadium improvements is critical for modernizing Italy’s infrastructure ahead of Euro 2032.

As the Italian football landscape faces a pivotal moment, the urgency for revitalization has never been greater.